Whataburger is launching into retail sales by bottling its line of condiments—Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard. The products will be available exclusively at all Texas and Mexico H-E-B stores this summer. H-E-B also will add a new product based on Whataburger’s iconic brand called Whatafries.
H-E-B will carry both of Whataburger’s ketchup varieties, Fancy Ketchup and Spicy Ketchup, in 20-oz. bottles, and its Original Mustard in 16-oz. bottles with labeling that reads, “Bottled by Popular Demand,” “Wake Up Your Taste Buds” and “The True Taste of a Whataburger,” respectively.
Bottled condiments will not be available for purchase at Whataburger restaurants at this time.
“H-E-B aisles are about to include more Texas favorites,” said Whataburger CEO Preston Atkinson. “Our condiments have become nearly as popular as our famous burgers, and with so much customer demand to get their hands on our special ketchup and mustard in larger quantities, it was only logical to bottle them up and make them available first through such a well-respected retailer like H-E-B.”
H-E-B also is launching a product called “Whatafries” that leverages Whataburger’s legendary brand. The H-E-B product is a potato chip version of the French fry, cut from real potatoes and available in a 7.4-oz. bag. These French fries are ready to eat straight from the bag. Original Flavor H-E-B Whatafries will debut this summer on the snack aisle exclusively at H-E-B stores.
“Working together is a natural fit for H-E-B and Whataburger,” said Reade Ahrens, H-E-B group VP of grocery procurement. “Both H-E-B and Whataburger are Texas institutions that have been serving customers for decades, we’re both headquartered in San Antonio and have roots in Corpus Christi, and both our companies are committed to delivering everyday, quality products that families have come to expect.”
“Venturing into the retail segment is very exciting for us at Whataburger because it gives us the opportunity to serve our loyal customers in a whole new way,” said Dino Del Nano, SVP of Whataburger retail. “We look forward to developing this new area of the Whataburger business and seeing our products on H-E-B shelves this summer.”
Atkinson also says Whataburger’s Spicy Ketchup would become a permanent condiment at all of its 740-plus restaurants across its 10-state service area. After introducing the red jalapeño-infused condiment in January 2012 to kick up the Fancy Ketchup recipe with some spice, it was an instant hit among customers, he adds.
2 Comments